ShintoShinto

The Way of the GodsThe Way of the Gods

Shinto in HistoryShinto in History

Ancient ReligionResurged during 15th century

Ancient ReligionResurged during 15th century

Shen DoShen Do

Shin = Unfathomable Spiritual Power

To = tao = wayAlso: “Way of the Gods”

Term coined in 8th century to distinguish Shinto from Buddhism

Shin = Unfathomable Spiritual Power

To = tao = wayAlso: “Way of the Gods”

Term coined in 8th century to distinguish Shinto from Buddhism

ShintoShinto

Currently National Religion of Japan

Historically, describes diverse religious practices

Currently National Religion of Japan

Historically, describes diverse religious practices

TenetsTenets

Focus on adapting to life in this world.

Focus on harmonious living with the natural environment.

“The dead are not less real than the living.” (p. 281)

Focus on adapting to life in this world.

Focus on harmonious living with the natural environment.

“The dead are not less real than the living.” (p. 281)

KamiKami

“That which is particularly wondrous, whether in nature or among people, they accepted as a superior object of worship, called kami.”

(Eastman, p. 260)

“That which is particularly wondrous, whether in nature or among people, they accepted as a superior object of worship, called kami.”

(Eastman, p. 260)

Kami includes:Kami includes:

Deities of earth and heavenHuman beings, ghostsBirds, beasts, trees, plants,

seas, mountains, etc.Anything awe-inspiringGood AND EvilAnything sacred or

mysterious

Deities of earth and heavenHuman beings, ghostsBirds, beasts, trees, plants,

seas, mountains, etc.Anything awe-inspiringGood AND EvilAnything sacred or

mysterious

Kami dragonKami dragon

Kami respond to human prayers and can influence the course of natural fources and human events.

Kami respond to human prayers and can influence the course of natural fources and human events.

Shinto deitiesShinto deities

The arrival of Buddhism in Japan ca. 9th century introduced the concept of representational images. Often crafted to resemble male and female aristocrats.

The arrival of Buddhism in Japan ca. 9th century introduced the concept of representational images. Often crafted to resemble male and female aristocrats.

Seated Kami, 12th century

Shinto lacks:Shinto lacks:

Supporting body of philosophical and moral literature.

Supporting body of philosophical and moral literature.

Japanese ArtJapanese Art

Characterized by respect for nature.

Combination of grace, grandeur and reverence for subjects.

Characterized by respect for nature.

Combination of grace, grandeur and reverence for subjects.

Winter Landscape

By SesshuCa. 1470s

Winter Landscape

By SesshuCa. 1470s

Bust of a Beautiful Lady Dressed in a Kimono

Utamaro Kitagawa

1794

Bust of a Beautiful Lady Dressed in a Kimono

Utamaro Kitagawa

1794

The Great Wave off KanagawaHokusai Katsushika, ca. 1831

The Great Wave off KanagawaHokusai Katsushika, ca. 1831

Noh TheatreNoh Theatre

Actors trained from childhoodStories from historical,

literary sources (eg. Ca. 1000 C.E.)

Reveals some working out of passions felt by a character who often appears as a ghost

Main character usually masked

Dance, pantomime, opera

Actors trained from childhoodStories from historical,

literary sources (eg. Ca. 1000 C.E.)

Reveals some working out of passions felt by a character who often appears as a ghost

Main character usually masked

Dance, pantomime, opera

Noh TheatreNoh Theatre

Tamura: Dance of the Ghost

Noh TheatreHighly stylized movementSlow, deliberate, gliding

stepsLong entrance to stage from

House Left indicates that it is a main hero or sidekick.

Tamura: Dance of the Ghost

Noh TheatreHighly stylized movementSlow, deliberate, gliding

stepsLong entrance to stage from

House Left indicates that it is a main hero or sidekick.

Traditional Noh Theater

Traditional Noh Theater

Taiko in NohTaiko in Noh

Used ONLY in plays where the main character is a god, demon, or some other nonhuman being.

Used ONLY in plays where the main character is a god, demon, or some other nonhuman being.